Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon d'Or for world player of the year on Thursday, 7 December, for a joint-record fifth time, going level with eternal rival and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, as the player to have won the prize the most times.
The Real Madrid forward won the award for the second consecutive year having led his side to the La Liga title with 25 goals and a successive Champions League crown, netting 12 goals including two in the 4-1 win over Juventus in the final.
I feel very happy, it’s a fantastic moment in my career, I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. This year has been great, we won the Champions League and LaLiga and, on a personal level, I was a top scorer in the Champions League. Trophies help win these awards and we have to thank my colleagues from Madrid and Portugal.Cristiano Ronaldo, in a statement to The Mirror
Ronaldo collected the trophy in a glitzy ceremony at the Eiffel Tower in the French capital, presented by former France player David Ginola.
Messi came second while Paris St Germain forward Neymar Jr, the most expensive player in the world, came third; veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon finished fourth, and Real midfielder Luka Modric came fifth.
Ronaldo, who in 2017 also helped the national side qualify for the World Cup which will be held in Russia in 2018, won his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 while with Manchester United and collected it again in 2013, 2014, and 2016.
The 32-year-old was last month named the ‘Best FIFA Men's Player’ in the global soccer body's own awards ceremony.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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